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Macintosh vs. IBM Clone PCs : Digital Segregation in Schools

What No One Tells You About PCs and Macs

1. Some school districts have become so heavily invested in Apple Products or IBM products that it's financially impossible for them to change platforms.

2. Apple's first graphical interface was a rip off from Xerox.

3. Microsoft's first graphical interface was a rip off from Apple.

4. Networking on Mac's is a much easier task to learn and train staff for than networking with PCs.

5. Pricing is no longer an issue between Macs and PCs. When purchased in bulk the costs are relatively similar.

6. Getting a virus on a Mac is almost unheard of! Very few viruses target the Mac platform, but just about every virus targets the Windows OS.

7. Worldwide, for every 100 people ready to provide you with technical support on PC's, there are 3 or 4 people to help you with Mac's. This seems to only affect home users, business / institutions with capable technicians run into very few problems with the Mac OS. As one of our users recently points out, "Yes technical support is not as readily available, but for every 100 problems that are realized with the Windows OS, only 3 or 4 will arise on the Mac OS!"

8. The Mac OS is made specifically for hardware it is running on. Most systems running the Windows OS have parts made by 30-40 different manufacturers. We took a recent survey of twelve computer labs (6 Mac, 6 PC). On the average, the entire number of hardware manufacturers on the Mac networks was 3.2. On the PC networks, an average of 39.2 different vendors.

9. Many manufactures are losing money by making Mac applications. The questions arise, "Will developers stop making software for the Mac?"

10. Web Pages appear differently on Mac's and PC's with respect to colors and fonts.

11. While PC dominates sales worldwide, "Apple... dominates the creative markets 3 to 1." (Trendmatch, 1999 Creative Atlas Guide)

12. Durability-wise Apple products are much more durable. This is simply due to the fact that they cater to the K-12 market. Top PC manufactures have recognized this and are releasing more durable products as well.

13. The real issue between Mac and PC is not which is better. The technology industry is reaching a usability plateau. Both platforms are just as capable. For schools the real issue is the future, what will children use in the field. In the end it comes down to personal choice.

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